I had been looking forward to this weekend for months now. A three city trip over a long weekend, taking in Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Copenhagen. I am familiar with all three cities, but the draw on this occasion was 999 who were on a European tour with four dates/5 gigs lined up in Germany. Mine and Gunta's schedule was such that we could only do two of the dates but that suited too.
The outbound travelling was always going to be a little tense since we were flying out on Thursday afternoon from Stansted on Ryanair into Cologne. From the airport, two train connections were required to get us to Dusseldorf Hauptbahnhof and our hotel and then to the gig venue. All this was perfectly managable, but the timelines were tight. The one hour flight delay was not the best of starts. Then came news that the gig was an early one with doors at 6pm.
The good news was that the flight was the only delayed leg and we made it to the venue as planned, on time to meet Peter, a friend from Dusseldorf and great supporter of this site. Sitting in the sun outside the venue, he was in conversation with Arturo and Gunta and I joined them for talk of touring, 999 and punk in general. Talk turned to The Stranglers and Arturo spoke of his early following of the band upto April '77. That's one thing about 999, they have multiple and varied connections with the band over a near 50 year period. The Stranglers, along with the Pistols, supported Kilburn & The High Roads at their last ever gig at Walthamstow Assembly Hall on 17th June 1976. The Kilburns had one Keith Lucas (Nick Cash) on guitar. After following The Stranglers in 1976/1977, Arturo Bassick's post-Lurkers band, Pinpoint, provided support for the band's 'secret' London club date at the Red Cow in Hammersmith in September 1978, whilst 999 supported The Stranglers across Europe in 1978. And the two bands have periodically shared the stage on numerous occasions since those early days. 999 will celebrate their 50th anniversary throughout 2026!
Even before a note was played, the club was stiffling to the extent that peope remained outside for as long as possible, with both Guy Days and Stuart Meadows joining in the conversation at different times. In no time, the 8.30 stage time was upon us and band and punters squeezed into the narrow confines of the club. The support band 'Clox' had raised the temperature in the room by about 10 degrees and 999 were set to raise the mercury by another 10 degrees over the next hour.
Our position in the venue wasn't the greatest, kind of round a corner with a limited view of the stage. Nevertheless, despite the odd layout of the room, the sound was very good. The band opened with 'Black Flowers for the Bride', a long favourite of hours, the song being on the 'You Us It' album that was released shortly before we got married (romantic eh!?). Classic 999 followed, 'Hit Me'. 'Let's Face It', 'Boys In The Gang' and 'Inside Out' along with the 'new', 'Shoot' from 'Bish Bash Bosh'. In perhaps what was a 'Don't mention the war' moment, 'Don't You Know I Need You' was back in the set in favour of 'My Dad Trashed My Submarine'. From the crowd reaction it was evident that Germany loves 999 and in turn 999 loves Germany. Audience and band have a certain chemistry, the bonds of which formed way back in 1978 and have been strengthened by regular visits ever since.
As the band entered the final straight with the evergreen 'Emergency', 'Nasty Nasty'and 'Homicide' the temperature in the room was very uncomfortable. Of course there was an encore, but at the Pitcher exiting the stage only to return was an imposibility so in no time the band launched into 'My Street Stinks' and 'I'm Alive'. And then it was done, 60 minutes of high octane punk rock at high heat and I am left in no doubt that these small venue, full on European gigs are the best way to see a band.
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